Mascherano snubs Italian job
Thursday 24 February, 2005
Italian clubs keen on netting Javier Alejandro Mascherano have been beaten to his signature by Corinthians.
The Argentine starlet was being monitored by a host of Europe’s top sides, including Juventus and the Milan duo.
But the 20-year-old will be moving to Brazil at the end of June after River Plate accepted an £11m offer.
Mascherano, who Diego Maradona once described as a "monster who plays football like a 30-year-old", has signed a five-year contract.
The central midfielder is Corinthians’ second high profile capture in the last six months after that of another Argentine.
Carlos Tevez, a striker who Palermo were allegedly chasing, joined the outfit at the start of this season despite interest from English, Italian and Spanish clubs.
channel4.com